Small formats in focus at Walmart

With word this week that Walmart will rebrand its small format Express stores under the Neighborhood Market banner, there will be plenty of interest in an upcoming presentation by the retailer’s vp of small formats.



Marc Lieberman, vp of small formats for Walmart U.S., is slated to speak at a Doing Business in Bentonville event on Thursday, October 9. at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers, Ark., from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.



In addition to the Express rebranding, Walmart’s plans for its small formats are generating tremendous interest these days with expectations high the retailer will announce a significant expansion of Neighborhood Market when it hosts an analysts’ meeting the week after Lieberman’s presentation.



It is very unlikely Lieberman would disclose any new store expansion figures for 2015, but he is slated to provide a small format growth update, details on prototype development and leadership structure and field operations.



Lieberman joined Walmart in 1993 as an assistant manager, but has been involved in key small format leadership roles since 2005.